A devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday has claimed 44 lives, marking one of the deadliest residential fires in the city’s recent history. The blaze, which rapidly spread through the apartment complexes, left 45 individuals critically injured and 279 others still unaccounted for. Witnesses described the flames as overwhelming, with one survivor recalling, ‘It felt like the fire was coming from all directions at once. We had no time to spare.’ Emergency exits were quickly filled with smoke, trapping many residents. The fire reportedly originated on the lower floors of one tower before spreading to adjacent buildings under unclear circumstances. Authorities have arrested three construction company employees—two directors and a technical advisor—on suspicion of gross negligence related to the building’s safety standards. Investigations revealed the use of highly flammable polystyrene panels, which blocked windows and significantly accelerated the fire’s spread. Inferior construction materials, failing to meet local safety regulations, were also discovered on-site. As the fire continued to rage on Thursday, hundreds of families anxiously awaited news of their missing loved ones at an impromptu identification center. The Hong Kong government has opened temporary shelters for displaced residents and announced a comprehensive investigation into building code compliance and oversight procedures. Housing Minister Anthony Ching emphasized the urgency of the inquiry, stating, ‘We must determine exactly what went wrong. Safety is paramount, and there will be consequences for any failures.’ The tragedy has reignited debates over the safety of older and under-construction residential buildings in Hong Kong, where high population density and limited space often lead to rushed and substandard construction projects.